ABSTRACT
Creating interesting and appropriate assignments continues to challenge technical writing instructors. Textbook assignments often lack immediacy; they “don’t seem real.” Students find it difficult to imagine a specific audience for their writing. Students learn that if a study deals with a three-year solution to a problem, tables showing costs should include three-year figures computed to help the reader understand the overall cost of the program as well as its yearly cost. The topics chosen reveal the wide variety of student interests, concerns, talents, and expertise. Probably the freedom to select for approval a personally interesting project or problem contributes most to the students’ motivation. Some students tackled community problems. One pair of students investigated the feasibility of obtaining public service time on television and radio to run spots on infant care and infant health problems. The oral presentations have several rewarding aspects. Students get the satisfaction of formally displaying the results of their efforts.
